Liffey Region

Name: Liffey Region · Type: Permanent Location · Region: Fontaine · Version Released: 4.1

Mont Esus EastMont EsusMont Esus East is a subarea located north of the Court of Fontaine Region. It contains "Scattered Ruins" of the House of the Hearth, which was once a courtyard wondrous to behold, but now lies desolate. A fight between the previous Knave and Fatui Harbinger, Crucabena, and the current Knave, Arlecchino, occurred here, destroying the whole building. At the ruin's entrance, a headstone reads "Here lies Harbinger Crucabena. To enter the fading lambency of the dusk. To ensure the ascending radiance of the dawn." The battle that took place here ended the previous House of the Hearth, which has been buried like the dying light.On the north of Mont Esus East, stands a tall, peculiar observation tower, one of three monitoring stations that were used for hydrological monitoring data. This tower belonged to the Fontaine Research Institute but had been taken over by the Fatui. Near the station, notes can be found regarding the 34th Independent Investigative Squad which has been deployed here with specific plans for two camps. Camp 1 is located south of the broken bridge behind the observation tower and is tasked with safeguarding logistical routes to ensure the safe transport of supplies. It includes members Corporal H.A. Petunin, Private N.N. Shagayev, and Private A.U. Yudichev. Camp 2 is located on the southern-side highland of the observation tower near the cliff and is in charge of eliminating potential threats from landings. It includes members Corporal V.T. Eyubov, and Private C.A. Zinkov. Sergeant F.S. Vorovskaya is responsible for patrolling between the two camps to monitor for misconduct and handle complacency. Any unauthorized departure from camp will lead to dismissal and reporting to higher-ranking officers. Corporals and privates stationed here must assemble before the observation tower daily at the appointed time and eat together in the designated area when the signal is given by striking the pot. Eating privately without permission is prohibited, and striking the pot on one's own and disrupting the squad's rest time is strictly forbidden. To lure them out, the Traveler and Paimon struck the cooking pot and, shortly after, they heard the sound of hurried and frantic footsteps from higher up in the tower. Second Lieutenant A.M. Shumilov was heard reminding everyone of regulations regarding designated mealtimes. When he noticed the Traveler and Paimon, he abruptly questioned their identities and presence. A battle ensued and just when the squad was about to be defeated, the platoon leader fled with his subordinates.Next to this tower, on the broken bridge, is an Imperfect Mek, New-Type Surveillance Mek R-101. Defeating such Meks gives an Energy Concentrating Component, once an ordinary moving clockwork component, to which an energy storage ring made from high-density materials was added. Seven such components can open a cell in Kuisel's Workshop in the Fontaine Research Institute of Kinetic Energy Engineering Region.The south of the subarea situates the Fontaine Research Institute Qualifications Review Representative Office. The Qualifications Review Director, Desnos, conducts the preliminary qualification reviews. Many adventurers used to come here for recruitment but only the Traveler and Paimon matched the institute's criteria. Some of the required documents and registration information for adventurers include a commission resume, income statement, information regarding commission evaluations, commission statistics, total number of stars (rating), proof of adventure qualifications, travel history for the prior 30-day period, and all past and current Adventure Handbooks. It also includes habitual residence, contact address, contact information, emergency contact, your current name, names you've used in the past, any pseudonyms, and/or aliases, statements of good faith, liability notice, obligation notice, and disclaimer notices. Even if adventurers have all the documents and proofs ready, and arrive at the specified location to be reviewed, they will not be able to accept the commission if they fail just one item of the qualification review. Because of the strict rules, a lot of enthusiastic adventurers who expected successful recruitment returned disappointed and angry. This commission has become so infamous that no one wants to be reviewed anymore. As the Traveler saved Desnos from meks, he suggested getting along with a senior researcher at the Fontaine Research Institute, Nacker, to have better chances at passing the review.To the left of the Representative Office, there is a New-Type Construction Mek A-112 — an Imperfect Mek created, along with other Imperfect Meks, by a strange researcher, Coutrot, who was fired for his questionable research.Under Mont Esus, there's an underwater cave with the Thorny Cyst. It can grow long thorns and become invincible, but when the Cyst is defeated, a Mysterious Ore will be left in its place. Seven pieces of the ore can be forged into a special key in the Bravais' Press Works.In this subarea, World Quests and can be found.Related Entries:Fortress of MeropideFortressWhen the previous Hydro Archon, Egeria, ruled the land, all convicted criminals from Fontaine were exiled. The people drove the criminals away like a wolf pack chasing away the banished. The criminals received no sympathy of any kind from the people. They were exiled to the desolate seaside, where they experienced only pain, struggle, and the bone-chilling cold. Some of them began to repent, and prayed to the Hydro Archon, asking if there was still anything left they could do to redeem themselves. Egeria took pity on them and said: "You may go guard my secret, deep underneath the waves." And so, relying on the power of the Hydro Archon, they gathered underneath the sea and began to build a fortress. They became a community down there in the deeps, and over the years, helped it to thrive. As the number of exiles increased, more and more people joined the community. When the first group of exiles died, they left the yet-unfinished fortress to their successors. The Hydro Archon continued to lend her support, allowing the fortress and what it stood for to continue growing even larger. Before long, this dark underwater fortress became the sinners' only home. And with that, the people here stopped referring to the Fortress as a prison. They saw themselves as repenting sinners, who would regain their freedom once they had sufficiently redeemed themselves. As time went on, people also realized that the Fortress was a lonely place. Once they had gotten used to life here, they could no longer feel comfortable living in the overworld. Once they had finished serving their sentences, some people left, and some others chose to stay. They'd find some idle position, and let their withered souls fade away with the ancient secrets of the past. After many, many centuries, only a few people still remember the reason for the Fortress' founding. Now, they only perceive it as an integral pillar of Fontainian society, a gathering place for exile.The Fortress is an underwater stronghold that has a measure of autonomy and self-governance from Fontaine's legal systems. Despite being autonomous, it serves as a prison for those who have stood trial and have been sentenced. It's a place where everyone begins anew, earning their coupons from scratch. The Fortress has all kinds of mechanical products for official use, and some essential goods that have to be obtained from the overworld, as such, Neuvillette, the Iudex of Fontaine, and Wriothesley, the Duke of the Fortress of Meropide, stay in touch. Additionally, the Fortress is currently the largest manufacturer of Fontaine's clockwork meka. The upper level of the Fortress of Meropide has a canal through which prisoners are transported from the Opera Epiclese.The main currency of the Fortress are Credit Coupons. As part of an experiment, they were created to prohibit the power of the Gods to intervene or embellish the power of the wealthy before the poor. Credit Coupons can fulfill desires, grant power, and even alter destiny. Inside the fortress, everyone is given a chance at a fresh start, regardless of their previous wealth or status.The prison occupies a large area of underwater space in the Liffey Region. The prison has special searchlights that monitor fugitives. If they lingered near these searchlights for too long, they could end up in the Fortress themselves. There is a complex system of metal pipes that must be periodically maintained. A young Fortress worker, Balent, provided a routine inspection which revealed that the spares were defective. Although he applied for new ones, they hadn't been delivered yet, so he decided to do the maintenance of pipelines himself and was captured by hilichurls. With the Traveler's help, the gas leak in the pipes was stopped and Balent was saved.In the Fortress of Meropide subarea, World Quests,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and can be found.Administrative AreaThe second level of the Administrative Area has an elevator to the upper level of the Fortress, so all inmates come here first to the Receptionist Monglane. If inmates have any questions, they make an inquiry via a special form, which then will be categorized and answered altogether at a later date. At the registration counter at the front desk, everyone can participate in the Coupon Cafeteria's internal satisfaction survey for a chance to win Coupon rewards. Regardless of the answers, Monglane fills the survey herself with "satisfactory" answers to all her questions.The Duke's office sits in a central position within the Fortress of Meropide. Though its door is often shut tight, its owner knows all that occurs within the Fortress all the same. The office has a total of three floors with the top floor being Wriothesley's office. The present Duke, Wriothesley, was once a prisoner at the Fortress of Meropide. He was sent to the Fortress as a teenager after he was convicted of killing his foster parents out of revenge for their exploitative foster home scheme. While a prisoner at the Fortress for some time, he earned more Coupons than all the other inmates combined. This accumulated wealth made him a man of high repute amongst his fellow inmates, but the then-administrator erased his account entirely. Wriothesley challenged the administrator to a duel and when the day of the duel came, the administrator fled. The duel happened to be scheduled on Wriothesley's release date, and as the administrator was nowhere to be found, there was no one available to sign his exit papers. He proceeded to walk into the office in the middle of the Fortress and took over all relevant duties. He then enacted several reforms to improve life within the prison.The basement of the Duke's office contains a lift to the Forbidden Zone and the door leading to the ship Wingalet. The Forbidden Zone is a place where the Primordial Sea is sealed. Because of the All-Devouring Narwhal, a mysterious and gargantuan creature from another world, the Primordial Sea level has risen and destroyed the seal. With the help of Wriothesley, the Champion Duelist Clorinde, and the Hydro Dragon, Neuvillette, the gate was sealed once again. The Wingalet is a ship inspired by the God King Remus who came down to Fontaine on his golden ship "Fortuna." The Wingalet assisted with rescuing many people when the waters flooded Fontaine, and it is now contained in storage.Meals at the Fortress of Meropide are mainly provided by the Coupon Cafeteria. One person can receive one Welfare Meal per day from the cafeteria's Mek Bran which includes a free meal full of surprises and a fortune slip. According to feedback surveys, people have been asking for more variety, and to increase the ratio of delicious meals. Some people even want a points system: eat five bad meals in a row, get one good meal of your choice. Cuistot from the "Bombshell Bros" works as a kitchen assistant and helps to prepare the welfare meals. The Coupon Cafeteria Supervisor, Wolsey, thinks that behind every bad meal, there's a chef who made that meal, so they should give those chefs and their subpar cooking a chance. With enough Credit Coupons, one can also purchase meals to their liking.Next to the Cafeteria is a gathering place of the "Beret Society." It was at first believed to support prisoners who felt helpless and lonely at the Fortress. Dougier was the head and founder of the Beret Society, who stated his mission was to help everyone turn over a new leaf, so they would no longer have to lead such gloomy existences. Wriothesley approved Dougier's application for the organization believing it to be a group filled with model prisoners and a great place for those who wish to turn things around. The society members wore berets as a visible identifier and symbol of community pride. Dougier believed that if the members felt joy and pride from being a part of the group, then the hats would become a point of pride for them as well. The berets represented everything the group was believed to work toward— optimism, community, hard work, and the desire to create a new life. The berets also served to symbolize "model citizens" and help recruit new members. With subtle hints, Wriothesley quickly realized that something was off about the Beret Society. After some investigation, it was found that the berets concealed a thorn filled with Aqua Doloris, a dark liquid that induced fear when injected into members' brains. Dougier punished and tortured those who broke society's true rules with this liquid. Breaking a rule resulted in "censure," where the thorn injected Aqua Doloris into the member's head, inducing fear as a reminder of Dougier's authority. More severe, unmentioned punishments existed for greater infractions. He had also amassed an "army" of Gardemeks which he planned to use to overthrow Wriothesley. Dougier's plans were eventually thwarted, leading to his apprehension and the disbandment of the society.The Rag and Bone shop is run by Alvard and is located in the southeast part of the Administrative Area. It's the most well-stocked non-official merchandise store in the Fortress of Meropide. As long as one has Credit Coupons, they'll be able to purchase all manner of items, whether it be Hydro Phantasm Taint-B-Gone or support items for use in the Pankration Ring. Most of the merchandise was bought as a treat for the Traveler and Paimon by a small girl Lanoire, who was born in the Fortress. Vidoc, an inmate at the Fortress, told the Traveler and Paimon to find him around the Rag and Bone Shop after they had enough Credit Coupons to exchange for information about the "hidden rules." A book named "The Art of Negotiation" can be bought from Alvard. It implies imparting deep insights and understanding into the abyss of human nature, a truly incomparable contribution to the science and art of success.Next to the elevator to the upper level, there's a notice board that was used for the Coupon Millionaire game organized by the guard, Estienne. The winning team had to get more Credit Coupons than other teams to join Estienne on one of his checks outside of the Fortress of Meropide. The Traveler and Paimon formed an alliance with a girl named Lanoire and her mysterious friend, Caterpillar, while the opposing team included Genevieve, Poiret, Rave, and Darcy. The second team had almost won, when it turned out that Caterpillar had gathered a million Credit Coupons through all the years he spent in the Fortress.The Administrative Area is a gathering place of the Tri-Coupon Troupe, whose regular cast consists of Meilhat and Fourmon. They are rehearsing a play called "The Countess of Monte-Mer," but are unsure regarding its ending. The story opens in a land of exiles called Monte-Mer. A woman named Juliette has lost her fiance to a brutal murder, and has been framed and banished for it. The fire of vengeance burns intensely in her bosom, refusing to surrender to either time or silence. There will come a day when she finally escapes and exacts payback on all who were responsible. As chance would have it, not only does she escape Monte-Mer, but she unearths its hidden treasure. One after another, she takes her vengeance on those who wronged her. But what she lost in the euphoria of revenge was her own compassion. When she faces her nemesis of days past, Jerome, who killed her fiance, he tells her to plunge the knife into his chest if vengeance will free her. There are two directions where the plot can go after this scene. One is for Juliette to abort her revenge, and spend the rest of her treasure traveling the world and enjoying life. The other is for her to complete her vengeance, only to realize she still feels empty inside, so she donates all of her wealth to charities, then grows old and dies alone in the place where she first met her fiance. Fourmon thinks that giving up on revenge can count as a kind of freedom. "Kill your nemesis and you'll be happy" may sound pleasing, but happiness is created and built, not obtained through destructive means like revenge. People don't gain happiness through retribution, only a sinful pleasure. But when that euphoria fades and they can't find another direction in life, it leaves naught but a huge void inside. In the process of getting revenge, it's vital that they find another means of redemption beyond vengeance itself. On the contrary, Meilhat believes that revenge will be a better ending as Jerome is the linchpin of the whole revenge story. If he doesn't feel the sting of vengeance, it will feel like a complete letdown. Making the character just imagine the pain and emptiness is also different from the character actually experiencing the same after doing the deed.The Pankration Ring is the most popular form of entertainment in the Fortress of Meropide. All tournaments are hosted by Roussimoff. A bodyguard, Nizami, can be fought with on the Pankration Ring. Though the rules state that it is "Pankration," and thus is hand-to-hand combat, "using other handheld weapons to fight others" would not be considered a rule violation. As long as special conditions are met, whether Sternshield Crab or a clockwork meka, all can stand on the stage of the Pankration Ring. The winning team will receive Credit Coupons as well as a fantastic Fonta Trophy. When shown at the Fontaine Research Institute, the winner is able to drink all the Fonta they would like, for free. Once, the institute wanted to test their new red Fonta taste, and even offered to sponsor the Pankration tournament so they could push their new product, but the Duke refused to even entertain the idea. The institute representatives are still trying to promote their drink, thus the "hidden rule" of the Pankration Ring appeared: If someone tries to support both boxers at the same time, they'll receive a package the next morning, which contains a strange blood-colored liquid.Although the Traveler is prohibited from participating in the tournament as the outcome is a foregone conclusion, and all the anticipation is removed from the equation, they were allowed to coach Genevieve and Poiret, the weakest participants. They first met during the Coupon Millionaire game, where they were on the opposing teams. Genevieve was once a researcher from the institute but due to her anger issues and threatening colleagues with her axe, she was sent to the Fortress. She used to chop firewood for stress-relief when her research hit a wall, so she chose the axe as her main weapon for the tournament. A detective Poiret wasn't familiar with any weapons and chose bottles of Cryo and pneumousia energy stored in a container. After multiple training sessions, Genevieve and Poiret won the Pankration Tournament under the Traveler's guidance. Winning a lot of Coupons, Genevieve plans to continue her research, and Poiret is hoping to expand outside of Fontaine with his detective work.Once a former researcher, Clynes left some graffiti on the walls of the Administrative Area. This graffiti used a special mark from the Fontaine Research Institute that requires a special method to decipher. The Cipher Letter is a technology developed by Mr. Butor, Clynes's benefactor, and few know how to decode it, even at the Fontaine Research Institute. The Fortress guards, Galvaryet and Maupoil, tried all kinds of cleaners to wipe graffiti off the walls with no result, so they asked the Traveler for help. It turned out that Clynes hoped to catch up with some acquaintances who would be able to decipher the mark because they would have something in common to talk about. Although Clynes is free to leave the Fortress, he chooses to stay there only worrying about not seeing his friends.On this level, the former researcher from the Fontaine Research Institute, Nacker, and "Tricky Bulle Fruit" can be found. Nacker was sent to the Fortress of Meropide due to stealing the Arkhium Core from the institute and initiating the second explosion of the Central Laboratory. "Tricky Bulle Fruit" used to be a member of the Fruity Order, a group of Treasure Hoarders named after fruit. He found the unfinished formula of "Pure Water" in the institute ruins and managed to make a potion, hoping that his adopted sister Blanche could have a better future than he did. He sent the complete formula to the institute and went to the Fortress. Currently, he is planning to open a shop but doesn't want to attract Alvard's attention.Related Entries:Administrative Area. Dormitory BlockOn the upper level of the Administrative Area, situates the Dormitory Block, where the Dormitories, the Mail Room, the Infirmary, and the Rift of Erosion are located. The Dormitories are the sleeping quarters for prisoners and are one of the main areas where inmates spend their time.The Mail Room is opposite to the Infirmary. In exchange for Credit Coupons, Lutz will help inmates at the Fortress send letters to the surface. The Mail Room is infamous for being the slowest moving queue in the Fortress of Meropide due to Lutz's embellishing of the letters as he types them out. The inmates then have to re-check the letter to make sure they are happy with the results which has a tendency to slow things down. If the inmate passes out, they will only have to start all over again the next day. One person failed three times in a row to send a letter, people call him "Unlucky Decembre." The first time Decembre overslept and couldn't send his son a letter. Next time he woke up early, skipped breakfast, and fainted by the afternoon. He was out cold, and by the time he regained consciousness, the Mail Room was closed for the day. Once, Decembre asked the Traveler to help deliver a birthday letter to his son on the surface, however, in the end, it turned out the letter belonged to someone else.The infirmary is where inmates seek help from Sigewinne when they feel unwell. Sigewinne is the head nurse of the Fortress who cares about her patients. Although she's called the head nurse, she handles all the nurse-related work all by herself. She leaves the infirmary a half hour before lunch because usually everyone is busy around that time and there are no patients to look after. A Melusine Ottnit from the Marechaussee Phantom often comes here on her day off to talk to her friend. When Sigewinne gathers with her Melusine friends, they often bet over who'd be able to put more stickers on the Duke's belongings.Sigewinne herself was once an inmate in the Fortress. Many years ago, Sigewinne became friends with a human girl, but she fell ill. The Melusine was already studying medicine and wanted to cure her friend, but the girl’s parents forbade her since Sigewinne was not human. Sigewinne turned to her teacher, and the doctor gave her a potion that could change her appearance. The Melusine became human-like and was able to save her friend, but was accused of a crime. An ancient law in Fontaine prohibited any attempt to transform other species into a human, so she was sent to the Fortress of Meropide. After serving her sentence, the Melusine remained there, becoming an important part of the local administrative system. Now Sigewinne is the head nurse of the Fortress, and for patients, she seems like an angel descended from heaven, and the "sun" of the Fortress, which brings a radiant warmth to their dark, damp prison. To thank the "angel" for her kindness and care, the guards added another "unwritten rule" to the set of numerous rules of the Meropide fortress: any who are rude to Sigewinne are punished extra harshly. The inmates, for their part, also have an unspoken agreement that any particularly wild and violent newcomers must receive a "warning" upon being admitted. Sigewinne herself is blissfully unaware of all these customs that have cropped up around her, and simply serves her patients as she always has.When the Fatui Harbinger Arlecchino, sent Lyney, Lynette and Freminet from the House of the Hearth to investigate the disappearance of another Harbinger, Lynette was supposed to investigate the infirmary, but Sigewinne figured out her plan. Behind the crates, there was a secret passage leading to the Wingalet factory, which the researchers Lourvine and Jurieu used.On the upper level of the Administrative Area, a former Senior Researcher, Edwin Eastinghouse, and "Intrepid Valberry" can be found. Edwin first was accused of the destruction of the Central Laboratory in the Fontaine Research Institute and was presumed dead, but later found hiding in the Erinnyes Forest. Although he claimed to be innocent, he was sent to the Fortress for harming the institute. "Intrepid Valberry" is "Tricky Bulle Fruit's" friend who left the Fruity Order. Although he and "Tricky Bulle Fruit" live nearby, "Intrepid Valberry" still thinks that his friend is dead while "Tricky Bulle Fruit" believes his eyes deceive him.Next to Eastinghouse, there's a passage to the Rift of Erosion. Since it connects to the outside, it has to be put under surveillance. The Research Terminal was created to seal the passage and help save manpower. It requires two people to operate it simultaneously. The former researcher from the institute, Clynes, modified it a little and the final form is now deployed at the Geode Mine Shaft.A girl named Lanoire lives in the Dormitory Block in the room with books. Her mother Agness gave birth to her in the Fortress and didn't have a chance to prepare documents for her daughter. Agness died because of the illness, and Lanoire was left in prison because she didn't exist by documents. She became friends with Caterpillar, who lived in the Fortress of Meropide for 400 years. In this room, Lanoire, Caterpillar, the Traveler, and Paimon gathered to discuss their plans. The Traveler and Paimon also slept there during their time in prison.In the Dormitory Block, certified TCG players, Rosolino and Carranza, can be found. Rosolino is a staff member of the Fortress who seems to have quite the reputation amongst younger folks, and Carranza is an inmate who loves to engage in theorycrafting, which he has put to good use in analyzing his deck.Related Entries:Production ZoneThe Production Zone Upper Level is situated directly beneath the Administrative Area, accessible only via the lift from the Production Zone Lower Level. Typically, in the Fortress of Meropide, criminals spend the majority of their time either in the production zone or in their sleeping quarters. The Production Zone is the primary method for earning Credit Coupons, although individuals with alternative skills can opt out of their shifts and acquire coupons through other means. A reporter, Nelly usually spends her time here, "fishing" for good stories. She wants the Platinum Collection to gain new levels of respect for her.The Production Zone Lower Level is the main factory for Mek production, where most of the inmates work. There's a special press to process Meks' parts. There is a "hidden rule" of the production zone that people are not supposed to work three days in a row, and if they do, they'll get "strange meat" in their welfare meal. Although the meal looks terrifying, it's cooked by the head nurse Sigewinne. She often visits the production zone to observe the workers' health, and makes a note of anyone who has worn themselves out after three full days of work. Out of her sense of duty as the head nurse as well as her genuine concern for the workers' health, Sigewinne visits the cafeteria right before lunch, and cooks an "extra dish" for those who can use the stamina boost. Sigewinne has only the best intentions with her "surprise gift," and doesn't want anyone to find out about what she does, but as she perceives the world differently from humans, her sense of aesthetics can be very alien to the inmates.Due to his work in the Production Zone, an inmate Lechlade began to feel dizzy. He thought that the yellow-green stones nearby were affecting his health and that he was going to die there. His symptoms were headaches, heart palpitations, hands and feet growing cold, and a feeling that his head was going to burst. When the Traveler asked the Fortress doctor, Arderne, for help, it turned out that Lechlade misdiagnosed a patient when he was still on the outside, ignoring some early warning results, and healthcare outcomes, and had been paranoid ever since. Receiving the "Pure Water," a mysterious potion said to be the legacy of a certain genius Potioneer, the man immediately started feeling better.Related Entries:Abandoned Production ZoneThe Abandoned Production Zone is the lowest level of the Fortress. It consists of five chambers; one large central chamber, which then connects to four smaller ones via separate passageways. The Multidirectional Connection Control Drive Valve can be used at the center chamber to open the four passageways, one of which is the Geode Mine Shaft. In the past, someone tinkered with the drive valve and trapped their own companion. The Traveler used it to open the passage to Supply Warehouse 1 and rescue Mitul, who uses this space to create fresh "health drinks."The Geode Mine Shaft is filled with Arkhium crystal and is patrolled by Flying Energy Thieves. The Flying Energy Thief is a trial product that has not undergone internal or peer review. It pursues any entity carrying an energy storage device and disables the said device. Loss of control or explosions occurring during the trial product's operation are considered unfortunate accidents for which the manufacturer is not liable. All work related to the Shaft has been suspended, and the connecting paths have been sealed. No one comes there due to its closure. If someone requires one of the connecting paths to be opened for official Fortress business, they must operate the drive valve only under the supervision of a technical expert to prevent accidents. This route has been used by the Traveler, Paimon, and their friends, Caterpillar and Lanoire, to escape the Fortress of Meropide and return to the surface. The guard Noailles tried to stop them but with the help of other guards, Estienne and Maupoil, they escaped the Fortress.In the Abandoned Production Zone, certified TCG player, Camden, can be found. He seems less enthusiastic about his work as a guard in the Fortress of Meropide than about playing cards. As someone who obtained his certification via correspondence, his true skill is unknown.Related Entries:Waters near the FortressNorth of the Fortress, there's an underwater cave where the Millennial Pearl Seahorse resides. It is one of the two sovereigns standing at the apex of the Fontemer Aberrants, along with the Emperor of Fire and Iron. As the greatest predator that can arise from seahorses, this being's evolutionary journey is not the same as that experienced by other Fontemer Aberrants. It did not start from a base form before growing larger and stronger, but instead grew limbs and a horn that have no place on an ordinary seahorse. Even its musculature and skeleton have changed. It really seems to resemble a fantastical beast from legend more than its original shape. In the imaginations of poets and authors, even seahorses can frolick upon the earth.Poets and authors often proclaim it to be proud and noble due to its solitary tendencies, but the true reason behind such adulatory descriptions is its elegant and slender body. As such, it is a "Pearl Seahorse," while the suzerain of the Armored Crabs is an "Emperor." In the legends and rumors of Fontaine, a brutal war was once waged among the Aberrants of the Fontemer, leaving only the "Millennial Pearl Seahorse" and "Emperor of Fire and Iron" splitting the great lake into two courts, one ruling over the north, the other the south. In the "Song of Dobharcu," the writer describes the outcome of the war: the great Hunter's Ray known as the Stormlord stirred huge waves in its death throes, causing what is now known by the people as the "first diluvian period." Of course, all of this is nothing more than the romantic imaginations of people who are unwilling to accept the bland realities of the world. For the Fontemer Aberrants are in fact just simple aquatic animals, and they have no grand courts nor fallen kingdoms, nor do they possess words meant to exalt or curse.After his trip to Natlan, Ranjit, a chef of creative cuisines, decided to "befriend" the Seahorse because of its resemblance to a famous flying Saurian, Iktomisaurus. Iktomisaurus was a companion of Kuntur, Unloved of the Sun. There's a story that he became the target of the sun's hatred due to a mistake his father made. He was ostracized in his tribe, and no other Saurian would become his companion.Above the Millennial Pearl Seahorse's cave, there's an Imperfect Underwater Patrol Mek, New-Type Patrol Mek M-7.There's a tunnel at the intersection of Liffey Region and Fontaine Research Institute of Kinetic Energy Engineering Region leading from the Seahorse's cave to a secret forging press at Bravais' Press Works which was abandoned after Senior Researcher Bravais' death.One of the Imperfect Meks of the Fontaine Research Institute, New-Type Purification Mek D-503, stands in this tunnel. The tunnel also leads to the Kuisel's Workshop in the Fontaine Research Institute of Kinetic Energy Engineering Region. The Press requires seven pieces of Mysterious Ore combined into Arkhium Stock to produce Arkhium Lumenite. This special key can open Bravais' Hidden Study.Working on the Forging Press has several rules. Before initiating the pressing process, the operator must wear protective gear at all times, perform a comprehensive equipment inspection, and ensure the Arkhium Stock has been placed correctly. The equipment's energy supply system has to be checked. To produce Arkhium Lumenite, the operator has to activate the press using the hammers with the right timing. To facilitate the operator's self-inspection, a fail-safe system has been installed on the base of currently available equipment models. The operator can troubleshoot system problems based on the errors reported by the fail-safe system. Some common errors include insufficient energy supply, system overheating, water entering the system, and blocked emergency drainage pipes. During one of the press's maintenance, leaks were discovered in the cooling system. If someone were to remove the seals that cover the leaks and operate the cooling system, the whole room would be instantly filled with a huge amount of water, and the Forging Press would be utterly ruined.

House of the HearthCrucabena was the original Knave, the fourth of the Fatui Harbingers. During her time as the director of the House of the Hearth orphanage, she taught the children to fight and forced them to duel each other. One would then be crowned the victor and the "king" of the House after having proved themselves most worthy of inheriting the title. She forced her daughter Clervie to join the House of the Hearth as a means to demonstrate her own impartiality as a "Mother" — to show that she treated all her children equally. It's difficult to estimate the number of children who died or were maimed in the process. The ones that emerged with permanent injuries would be handed over to The Doctor, second of the Fatui Harbingers, to be experimented on; or sent away on dangerous missions; nothing more than tools to be used and then discarded.Arlecchino, then known as Peruere, was a child within the House of the Hearth and suggested taking down "Mother" herself. Clervie, who had become her close friend at the time, rejected that proposal claiming that, as a famous Harbinger, Crucabena possessed an unimaginable amount of power. Clervie never gave another reason, but Peruere could see Clervie still thought of Crucabena as her mother, and killing her own flesh and blood was a line she couldn't bring herself to cross.Ultimately, Clervie decided to let Peruere end her life so that Peruere could kill "Mother." When Peruere killed Crucabena a year later, she was taken as a prisoner to Snezhnaya and the Tsaritsa pardoned her for her crimes. Peruere then became a Harbinger and was bestowed a new name by the Tsaritsa, Arlecchino. After Crucabena was defeated, the moniker of "Mother" died with her. Arlecchino rebuilt the House of the Hearth under a new identity, not only as Arlecchino, but as "Father."After death at Peruere's hand, Clervie had become a shadow, an illusion born of flame. Although she died at 16 years old, her shadow was much younger. She would look after the children and even saved some of their lives. Other times, she would hide from Arlecchino and become obsessed with revealing the "truth" about the House to anyone who would listen. As shadows don't have the capacity to learn or grow, any new information they encounter has been quickly forgotten over time. Clervie was unable to recognize that the present House of the Hearth was unlike the one she grew up in under Crucabena, and Arlecchino needed to deal with Clervie to resolve the matter.One day, some of the children of the House of the Hearth arrived at the Scattered Ruins with the "traitors," Filliol and Nanteuil. Arlecchino had labeled them as traitors as they acted against the interests of the House of the Hearth, and for that, they were to be executed. Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet chose to conceal a threat to the House, Clervie, so they were also to be punished later. Arlecchino planned to perform an execution but Lyney begged her to stop, arguing that her actions would tear the family apart. Chapleau sided with Lyney which led Arlecchino to agree to a duel. The Traveler, Lynette, and Freminet also sided with Lyney and began to duel with the Knave, however, they were no match for the Harbinger and they were defeated. Moved by their determination to spare the ''traitors,'' Arlecchino was willing to change the rules and allow Filliol and the others to leave if they wanted to. They ultimately decided they did want to leave and Arlecchino gave them bottled flames, which would "kill" the House version of them by wiping all the memories they made while they were members.When everyone left, Arlecchino spoke with Clervie, who followed the children to the ruins of the previous House of the Hearth, and told her the truth about what had happened in the past. The Knave then released Clervie from the House, fulfilling her dream to see the sun. As Clervie faded away in peace, Arlecchino admitted there was more she wanted to tell her. The potion had been administered to those who wanted to leave, however, Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet chose not to consume it and remain members of the House of the Hearth. Arlecchino saw Lyney as a "King" because his conviction was strong, and she knew he would only continue to grow stronger. This same conviction helped her win against Crucabena despite their difference in strength at the time. Related Entries:Fortress of MeropideWhen the Traveler visited Fontaine, the city was experiencing a series of disappearances, and authorities had accused Childe, eleventh of the Fatui Harbingers, of being the culprit. Despite the actual culprit having already been exposed and sentenced during the trial, Childe was imprisoned at the Fortress of Meropide after being found guilty by the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, a large mechanical scale located in the Court of Fontaine's Opera Epiclese which was created by the Hydro Archon Focalors. The Oratrice delivered precise judgments, and regardless of the Chief Justice's, Neuvillette, opinion during the trial, the Oratrice held the final verdict. After a period of time, Childe disappeared.Another Fatui Harbinger, The Knave, soon sought a diplomatic meeting with Furina which Neuvillette also attended. During the meeting,requested Childe be turned over to Snezhnaya, citing their diplomatic roles and responsibilities. However, since the trial concluded, Fontaine saw the case as settled, and Neuvillette denied The Knave's request. The Harbinger then proposed visiting the Fortress of Meropide to check on Childe, but Neuvillette explained the Fortress of Meropide falls outside the court's jurisdiction and offered an alternative proposal. As Childe has vanished from prison, with no sightings reported outside, he proposed delegating someone else to investigate, which she reluctantly accepted.The Traveler and Paimon made an agreement with Neuvillette to investigate Childe's disappearance under the guise of being prisoners in order to gather information on the Harbinger's whereabouts. The Fatui had sent their own infiltrators as informants to both the prisoners and guards, but they vanished. Subsequently, Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet were dispatched to infiltrate the fortress and gather intelligence. The "Father" of their House, The Knave, instructed them to conduct an investigation into the secret the Fortress of Meropide was hiding. The House of the Hearth had been investigating for a very long time, trying to uncover the mystery, when all of their informants, including the ones that had infiltrated the guards, suddenly vanished. Additionally, Arlecchino had somehow managed to confirm that Focalors did not possess Hydro Gnosis. It was this information that led them to suspect that Fontaine's Gnosis might be in the Fortress of Meropide, and related to that "secret." The Knave used the situation with Childe as a pretext to negotiate with two high-ranking officials in the Court of Fontaine. Childe was almost like a bargaining chip for her.During their investigation, Lyney uncovered the fact that the Fortress of Meropide has a "forbidden zone" which was confirmed by the guards. After some persuasion, the Duke of the Fortress, Wriothesley, agreed to escort the Traveler and Paimon into the forbidden zone. They arrived at one of the three giant isolation gates, where only Wriothesley was allowed inside. The concentration of the Primordial Sea in the waters surrounding the Fortress of Meropide had started to rise, and the "forbidden zone" contained a massive sluice gate that was holding back the Primordial Sea.The rise of the Primordial Sea was especially concerning due to a prophecy circulating throughout Fontaine that said that every person in Fontaine was born with "sin," and one day, the water levels in Fontaine would rise causing the sinful people to slowly drown. "In the end, the people will all be dissolved into the waters, and only the Hydro Archon will remain, weeping on her throne." Later it was revealed that Childe's disappearance was linked to a mysterious voice he heard while in the Fortress of Meropide. Following this voice, Childe escaped the Fortress and ended up in the Primordial Sea where he lost consciousness. He awoke with a massive narwhal swimming before him. He proceeded to battle with the Narwhal and inadvertently delayed the prophecy from coming true.In an attempt to save people should the prophecy come true, Wriothesley recruited Jurieu and Lourvine to help build a gargantuan ship which was also kept at the Fortress. According to the legend, the Remurian God King, Remus, came to Fontaine after being inspired by divine revelation and found the seer Sybilla, who had taken on the form of a Golden Bee. Taking Sybilla with him and riding on a huge ship, the Fortuna, he created his nation above the surging waves. Wriothesley was inspired by the legendary Fortuna and began constructing a boat when he suspected the Primordial Sea lay beyond the gate. When the Prophecy of Fontaine came to fruition, the Duke deployed the gargantuan ship, The Wingalet, to help with rescue operations. Once the waters receded, the ship returned to the prison and was placed in storage, garnering significant media attention and intriguing several researchers.

Trailers and Story TeasersVersion 4.1 "To the Stars Shining in the Depths" TrailerSeptember 15, 2023Deep below the surface vast lie secrets from the distant past.When someone brings them to light someday, they'll make their return on the crest of a wave.YouTube: "The Song Burning in the Embers" Full Animated ShortApril 17, 2024Some believe that growing up is to gradually break free from the shackles.Fate sets the most brutal rules for us, turning day into night, leaving the future dwelling in but the lingering warmth of dreams.YouTube: Illustrations"The Steambird Special Edition" Version 4.1September 19, 2023Hello, Travelers~ After the Version 4.1 update, the "Fontaine Research Institute of Kinetic Energy Engineering Region" and "Liffey Region" will be available in Fontaine! Check out this Special Edition of The Steambird to learn more about the special features of the new areas~TutorialsNew Boss: The KnaveApril 24, 2024Hello, Traveler!After the Version 4.6 update, you will encounter a new boss "The Knave." Let's check out what special traits she has and how to deal with her~